Ethan Clarke
Plastic is everywhere, and it's not all made equal. Some types are reusable, while others are not due to the chemicals they contain. Some are easily recyclable, while others require more intricate handling. The Society of the Plastics Industry introduced the Resin Identification Code (RIC) system, which categorizes plastic resins into seven groups. These groups are further divided into plastic numbers 1 through 7, which indicate the type of plastic and its recyclability. Understanding the potential harm of different plastics is crucial for making informed decisions about the products we buy and use daily.
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What You'll Learn
Plastic resin recycling codes
Plastic is an indispensable part of modern life, but it is not without its drawbacks. Some plastics are reusable, while others produce hazardous materials after several uses. Some are easily recyclable, while others need more sophisticated and intricate handling in their recycling process.
In 1988, the Society of the Plastics Industry (now the Plastics Industry Association) in the United States introduced the Resin Identification Code (RIC) system, which categorised plastic resins into seven groups. The purpose of the RIC was to provide a consistent national system to facilitate the recycling of post-consumer plastics. The seven types of plastic are:
- Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET): This is the most common plastic for single-use bottled beverages because it is inexpensive, lightweight, and easy to recycle. It is also used for food and drink packaging due to its ability to prevent oxygen from spoiling the product inside.
- High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE): This type of plastic is commonly used for grocery bags, milk jugs, recycling bins, agricultural pipes, and shampoo bottles. It is one of the easiest plastic polymers to recycle and is accepted at most recycling centres worldwide.
- Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC): This is the world's third-most widely produced synthetic plastic polymer. It is used in the building and construction industry for pipes and window profiles and can be made softer and more flexible for plumbing, wiring, and electrical cable insulation. However, PVC has been associated with serious health risks and environmental pollution issues, making it the most hazardous plastic in terms of toxicity.
- Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE): This plastic is often used for plastic bags and six-pack rings. While it is not as commonly recycled as other plastics, it can be recycled into items like trash can liners and floor tiles.
- Polypropylene (PP): Polypropylene has a high melting point, making it suitable for containers holding hot liquids. It is gradually becoming more accepted by recyclers and can be recycled through some curbside programs.
- Polystyrene (PS): This plastic is often used for disposable cutlery, foam packaging, and take-away coffee cups. Polystyrene is difficult to recycle, and only a small percentage of it is currently being recycled.
- Other: If a plastic does not fit into the first six categories, it is included in group number seven. This group includes polycarbonates (PC), which are used for eye protection in sunglasses, sport and safety goggles, mobile phones, and compact discs. However, polycarbonates have come under controversy due to their leaching of bisphenol A (BPA), a potential environmental hazard that does not easily decompose.
It is important to note that the presence of a RIC on a plastic product does not necessarily indicate that it is recyclable, and consumers should check with their local recycling facilities to see what types of plastic they accept.
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LDPE, PE, Polyester, HDPE, PVC, LDPE, PP, PS, PC
LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene) is a highly flexible plastic resin with excellent transparency and chemical resistance. It is commonly used in food packaging, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices. LDPE is considered a safer option for food and drink packaging, although some studies suggest it may cause unhealthy hormonal effects in humans.
PE (Polyethylene) is the most used family of plastics in the world. It has a simple chemical structure, making it very cheap to produce. PE is often used for grocery bags, hot beverage cups, and food packaging.
Polyester is a common plastic fibre found in many households, including clothing, plastic bottles, and insulation materials.
HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) is a popular plastic resin known for its high strength-to-density ratio and impact resistance. It is commonly used in the production of bottles, containers, pipes, and geomembranes. HDPE is considered a safer option for food and drink use, although some studies suggest it may disrupt the human hormonal system when exposed to ultraviolet light.
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) is a widely used plastic resin known for its durability, electrical insulation properties, and flame retardancy. It is used in construction, electrical cables, plumbing, and healthcare products. However, PVC is considered one of the most hazardous plastics, with serious health and environmental risks associated with its manufacture and disposal.
PP (Polypropylene) is a versatile plastic resin with exceptional heat resistance and chemical inertness. It is used in automotive components, consumer goods, and industrial applications. PP is considered a safer plastic for food and drink use, especially in baby bottles when made of food-grade plastic and identified as BPA-free. However, PP is not entirely recyclable and may cause asthma and hormone disruption in humans.
PS (Polystyrene) is commonly used for food containers, egg cartons, disposable cups and bowls, packaging, and bike helmets. PS is known to be toxic to the brain and nervous system when exposed to hot and oily food.
PC (Polycarbonate) is used to create strong, tough products like eye protection lenses, mobile phones, and compact discs. However, PC has been controversial due to its potential to release bisphenol A, a compound considered an environmental hazardous chemical.
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PET: carcinogenic and hazardous
PET, or polyethylene terephthalate, is a type of plastic polymer commonly used for food and drink packaging. It is also known as plastic #1 and is identified by a "'1'" in the recycling symbol on plastic containers. PET is widely recycled and has a positive track record in this regard. However, it is important to note that PET plastic has been associated with certain health and environmental risks due to its ability to release hazardous chemicals at multiple stages of its lifecycle.
One of the primary concerns with PET plastic is its potential to leach toxic chemicals into food and drinks. Studies have shown that water stored in PET bottles exhibits estrogenic activity, indicating the presence of chemicals that can interfere with the normal functioning of the hormone system. This leaching effect is influenced by factors such as heat and storage time, with higher temperatures and longer storage periods increasing the transfer of chemicals. Additionally, the use of microwaves on PET containers further enhances the release of these toxic substances.
The manufacturing process of PET plastic also contributes to environmental pollution. Various reports have indicated that the production of PET releases harmful chemicals into the air, impacting not only the atmosphere but also municipal wastewater and solid waste treatment facilities. This pollution disproportionately affects surrounding communities, particularly those with low economic status and inadequate infrastructure.
Another critical issue with PET plastic is the presence of a heavy metal called antimony trioxide, which is considered a carcinogen. Antimony is used in the production of PET and can leach out into the contents, particularly under extreme heat conditions. Even at room temperature, studies have detected the presence of leached antimony and phthalates in commercial bottled water stored for short periods. Prolonged exposure to these chemicals poses severe health risks, including potential harm to the liver and heart.
Furthermore, the improper disposal of PET plastic poses additional environmental hazards. PET is not biodegradable and can persist in the environment for hundreds of years, eventually breaking down into microplastics. These microplastics contaminate marine life, groundwater, and the air, leading to aquatic pollution and respiratory diseases. The incineration of PET plastic also contributes to air pollution and global warming by releasing massive amounts of dangerous and cancerous chemicals.
While PET plastic offers convenience and functionality, it is essential to recognize its potential drawbacks. The leaching of toxic chemicals, the environmental impact of manufacturing, the presence of carcinogenic substances, and the challenges associated with improper disposal highlight the need for sustainable alternatives. To mitigate these risks, individuals can opt for glass packaging, reduce plastic usage, minimize heat and storage time for plastic containers, and support the development of non-toxic, flexible, and durable alternatives.
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Polyvinyl Chloride: toxic and environmentally damaging
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is a commonly used plastic across Europe and is the third-most widely produced synthetic plastic polymer in the world. It is used in a wide range of products, from plumbing pipes to children's toys, photo storage pages, blister wrap, cling wrap, detergent bottles, loose-leaf binders, blood bags, and medical tubing.
PVC is considered the most hazardous plastic in terms of toxicity. Its production, use, and disposal result in the release of toxic, chlorine-based chemicals, which are building up in the water, air, and food chain. These toxins are causing severe health problems, including cancer, immune system damage, and hormone disruption. For example, phthalate plasticizers used in PVC technology leach out of PVC-based materials and have been found in the water of the deep oceans, the air in remote regions, and the tissues and fluids of humans. These phthalates can cause cancer, infertility, testicular damage, reduced sperm count, and abnormal development of the male reproductive tract in laboratory animals.
The use of PVC in construction, the largest overall use of PVC, doubled between 1980 and 1995. This has made accidental building fires more dangerous for firefighters and building occupants. While PVC is flame-resistant, it releases toxic gases when burned, including hydrogen chloride gas, which is lethal when inhaled.
PVC is also the least recyclable plastic. This is because PVC items contain many additives, making recycling impractical and expensive.
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Polypropylene: safe for archival materials
When it comes to storing archival materials such as photographs and documents, polypropylene is a safer option than PVC. This is because PVC contains plasticizers that can damage archival materials by releasing chemical gases and causing the material to break down. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a thermoplastic widely used to make everything from plumbing pipes to children's toys, and it has also been used to make photo storage pages. However, it is not suitable for archival storage as it can cause photographs to become "oily" and start to soften and yellow.
Polypropylene, on the other hand, is a type of plastic that is described as "inert" or "stable", which makes it suitable for preservation. It is important to note that the term "acid-free" is not typically used in relation to plastics, so look for these other terms when choosing archival-quality plastics. The thickness of the plastic is also important to consider, as a higher mil indicates stronger plastic. For example, a 4-mil plastic is .004" thick.
Polypropylene is a safer alternative to PVC for archival materials because it does not contain the same plasticizers that can cause damage. While all plastic products can leach toxic chemicals when heated or damaged, polypropylene is less likely to cause harm to stored materials than PVC.
In addition to polypropylene, there are other types of plastic that are considered archival-quality. These include polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE). PET is commonly used for food and drink packaging because it prevents oxygen from spoiling the product inside. It is also one of the most widely recycled plastics in the world. HDPE is also recyclable and is used in a variety of products such as grocery bags, milk jugs, shampoo bottles, and playground equipment. It is considered a safer option for food and drink use than PET, although it can leach estrogen-mimicking additive chemicals when exposed to ultraviolet light.
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Frequently asked questions
You should look for plastics described as "inert" or "stable" for storing photographs. Polypropylene is a good alternative to PVC as it does not contain plasticizers that can cause photographs to degrade.
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a common plastic for food and drink packaging. It is widely recycled and has a strong ability to prevent oxygen from spoiling products. However, PET contains a carcinogen, so it should not be heated. HDPE is another option for food and drink packaging and is considered safer than PET.
Plastic numbers 1, 3, 6, and 7 should be avoided as they are considered the most hazardous to health and the environment. All plastic products can leach toxic chemicals when heated or damaged, so it is best to use alternative materials like metal or glass where possible.
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